NEED EMERGENCY FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO PAY RENT, BUY ESSENTIAL GOODS? UNEMPLOYED? DO NOT QUALIFY FOR EI OR CERB? DON'T GIVE UP - CONTACT YOUR MUNICIPALITY TO APPLY FOR SUPPORT

Do you need emergency financial support, but do not qualify for any federal payments (EI, CERB)?

Need to pay rent, or buy essential goods? Unemployed? Vulnerable? Living in poverty?

Don’t give up – you can actually apply to the City of Kawartha Lakes (or your own municipality) for emergency support.

Emergency financial support may also be available to you, if you are experiencing financial crisis due to the virus pandemic, and who are unable to access other financial support, such as the new federal Government’s CERB.

This may include those of us who are vulnerable, such as living in poverty, homeless or those who are, or who have become, unemployed related to COVID-19.

Under the provincial Emergency Assistance program, if you have been laid off, told you cannot work or you are unable to work due to COVID-19, you may be entitled to receive up to $1,170 for a 48-day period.

Families with two children could be entitled to $2,000 for a 48-day period, if eligible.

Based on recent changes, you may also be entitled to access these benefits more than one time in any six-month period.

This emergency benefit is intended to help with paying for needs, including food, rent, medicine, and other essential items.

If you do not qualify for EI regular or sickness benefits, you cannot access the new CERB, and you have limited access to other income/assets to assist you, you can apply for these emergency benefits, too.

You should contact the City of Kawartha Lakes about this potential benefit and information on how to apply for your benefits.

To date, it does not appear that the City has made available an online application process. You may have to apply by ‘phone.

The Ontario government is working on and trying to roll out a more streamlined and accessible application – it should be available soon from the province, too.

For now, and although the City does not appear to have information on its Web site about this potential benefit to you, you should contact the City’s Social Services division:

This WARDS LAWYERS PC blog is for general information only. It is not legal advice, or intended to be. Specific or more information may be necessary before advice could be provided for your circumstances.